LET’S TRY ONE
Intended meaning: the guide examined the map and then chose a route.
Which revision clearly makes the guide the doer of the introductory action?
After examining the map, the guide chose a route.
The guide immediately follows the introductory action and is the person who examined the map.
Learning steps & teaching tips
Revise an introductory describing phrase so the sentence names its intended doer immediately afterward.
- Name the doer described in the intended meaning.
- Read the introductory phrase with the next subject.
- Choose or write a version in which that subject performs the opening action.
Try it together
Create a deliberately dangling opening phrase, then revise it by naming the actual doer. Explain why the first version was unclear.
Ask who performs the introductory action. Place that person or thing immediately after the introductory phrase.